Single Coils - direct mount, or pickup rings?

[MrBump]

So - in a rear routed strat, how should I mount the 3 singles?  I can go directly into the wood, but I've heard that there can be issues with that (although I like the stripped back look of it).

You can also get metal pickup mounting rings for SCs (StewMac sells them), and they look kinda cool too...

Forgetting about the aesthetics, does anyone have advice about which one to use?  I think that the rings will probably be less fraught with danger...

[darkbluemurder]

If done correctly neither mounting style is better or worse.

The reason I stressed the word "correctly" is that I have a guitar with direct to wood mounted single coils where the first set of screws was to small. Took the guitar to a gig and the single coils started to fall out and touched the strings - you definitely don't want that and better make sure to use the correct size for the screws.

Cheers Stephan

[gwEm]

i think i'd go for the rings - it'll be easier to adjust pickup height, and you wont be wearing out the wood by doing so.

[Toe-Knee]

i think i'd go for the rings - it'll be easier to adjust pickup height, and you wont be wearing out the wood by doing so.

I've never understood how people have issues adjusting the height of direct mount pickups. Just bung some foam under it and it's exactly the same as using a ring & springs. I actually prefer it but it's mainly for cosmetic reasons as it looks far cleaner and I hate having plastic on guitars.

[Dave Sloven]

Comparing P-90s mounted to the pickguard with those screw-mounted into the wood the latter win hands-down, every time.  I've had both in my SG Junior and the pickguard mounting was always a source of vibration/feedback

I suspect this might be the same.

The pickups in my Fender Jazz are screw-mounted into the wood of course.  They have foam and springs underneath (the foam has circles punched in it to allow for the springs) and adjust really easily. Just remember if you combine springs under the pickups with nicely shielded cavities to place electrical tape between the springs and the shielding or it may be very quiet indeed!